INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Our role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. Our high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.

This is where you will find the latest news and multimedia from INTERPOL. Read our news stories and speeches; see the Organization in action through videos and photo galleries; and download our fact sheets, brochures and annual reports.

Our global police communications channels and internationally recognized alert systems allow police around the world to share data instantly and securely. A 24-hour contact point and specialized teams provide targeted support to serious crime or disaster incidents.

Trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting

About the programme

At INTERPOL, we are working to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational organized networks behind the trafficking in illicit goods.

Trafficking in illicit goods, is a generic term used by INTERPOL to describe all types of illicit trade. It includes such practices as counterfeiting (trademark infringements), piracy (copyright infringements), smuggling of legitimate products and tax evasion. Selling fake or counterfeit products as the real thing is one aspect of this crime; so is selling genuine goods on the black market to avoid paying taxes. By avoiding regulatory controls the criminals behind these activities typically peddle often dangerous goods with a complete disregard for the health and safety of consumers. The phenomenon has grown to an unprecedented level, posing tremendous risks to society and the global economy.

All levels of society are impacted by trafficking in illicit goods. For example, counterfeiting harms businesses which produce and sell legitimate products, governments lose tax revenue from products manufactured or sold on the black market, and consumers are at risk from substandard products.

The role of organized crime

A clear link has been established between the trafficking of illicit goods and transnational organized crime. Criminal organizations are attracted by the lucrative profits involved in trading counterfeit or fake goods, or in trading legitimate goods through illicit channels. The criminals involved manufacture and trade illicit goods on a regional and increasingly global scale.

Organized crime networks exploit new technology, differences among national regulatory regimes and links between the global economic, finance and transportation systems for their own gain. They use the profits to fund other criminal activities such as drug trafficking, people smuggling and robbery.

INTERPOL's response

Our activities revolve around five central pillars:

﻿Operations: we support regional and global operations to break up the networks behind trafficking in illicit goods and to remove dangerous and sub-standard goods from circulation.

﻿Legal assistance: we provide technical legal assistance (legislative drafting and training) to countries at the request of their respective governments.

﻿I-Checkit: the INTERPOL-Checkit programme combines key information from private industry and law enforcement to allow targeted users to verify whether a product has been traded illicitly.

A ﻿dedicated database facilitates the sharing of intelligence on trafficking in illicit goods via our secure police communications system. This, and other specialized INTERPOL databases help us to analyse trends and better target our on-the-ground interventions in partnership with police, customs, regulatory bodies and the private sector.

Additionally, we provide a central reference point on trafficking in illicit goods for all INTERPOL member countries and public and private stakeholders. We work to build ﻿partnerships with a wide range of representatives across sectors in order to facilitate a multidisciplinary response to this complex issue. We currently partner with more than 40 different industry sectors and a number of cross-industry associations and representative bodies.

As part of this, we organize and participate in a number of international and cross-sector ﻿events and conferences. We are interested in cooperating with law enforcement authorities, the public and private sectors in the fight against trafficking in illicit goods. If you represent one of these entities and would like to have further information please ﻿contact us.

OSHAKATI, Namibia ‒ Highlighting the important role citizens can play in helping police turn back crime, Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba launched his country’s Turn Back Crime campaign at the Oshakati Independence Stadium as part of the Namibian Police Force’s 24th anniversary.With the Namibian Police Force having evolved into a strong organizatio...

LYON, France – More than EUR 37 million worth of fake and illicit goods have been seized in a series of INTERPOL-coordinated operations involving 18 countries across Europe.As part of Operations White Mercury II and Black Poseidon III some 1,500 interventions were carried out in September and October resulting in the recovery of nearly 12 million fake ite...

DUBAI, UAE - Attended by 300 delegates from 13 countries, the 4th Regional IP conference for the Middle East and North Africa provided a strong platform for discussing emerging trends in intellectual property crime and best practices for countering them. Delegates studied the links between trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting with other organiz...

MANAMA, Bahrain – In the framework of its ongoing efforts to address illicit trade in the Middle East, INTERPOL is holding a legal seminar for participants of the Gulf Arabian countries to discuss intellectual property rights and other illicit trade issues.The four-day event (20-23 October), the first legal seminar organized by INTERPOL in the region, has...

HANOI, Vietnam – Enhancing partnerships for more effective enforcement strategies against trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting is the focus of the 2014 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference in Hanoi.Some 500 senior law enforcement officials, security and industry experts from more than 80 countries and 200 or...

WARSAW, Poland – Identifying innovative legal solutions to combat illicit trade and intellectual property (IP) crime was the focus of a specialized training course for Polish prosecutors co-hosted by INTERPOL’s Office of Legal Affairs.With Poland’s eastern border one of the longest on the edge of the European Union, the country faces a considerable challe...

LYON, France – In a sting against organized crime, Moldova police have seized a record amount of snake venom destined for sale on the black market and arrested members of the criminal network which smuggled the substance into the country.Following a month-long investigation into the network’s activities, police with the Moldova General Police Inspectorate...

LYON, France – The discovery of 20,000 illicit tablets hidden inside fake car parts has led to the issue of an INTERPOL Purple Notice at the request of Kuwait.The Tramadol tablets, which are illegal in Kuwait, were found during an investigation by the General Directorate for Combating Drugs when officers became suspicious of a parcel sent to an Egyptian n...

BARCELONA, Spain – The Turn Back Crime campaign is racing ahead as the Ducati Team add their support to INTERPOL’s efforts to tackle a wide range of crimes, including counterfeiting and motor vehicle crimeAt today’s GP of Catalunya, taking place at the Montmeló circuit near Barcelona, the Ducati Team will be revving up INTERPOL’s campaign to raise awarene...

#TurnBackCrime, INTERPOL’s campaign highlighting the dangers of organized and other forms of crime and their impact on everyday life is being rolled out around the world.While many people know that transnational organized crime networks are behind various forms of trafficking such as illicit goods, fake medicines, drugs, arms and even people, they are oft...

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay - Encouraging stronger policies to support enhanced coordination between prosecutors and law enforcement in combating illicit trade and counterfeiting is the focus of an INTERPOL Legal Capacity Building Seminar in Paraguay.Hosted by INTERPOL’s Office of Legal Affairs and Paraguay’s Prosecutor’s Office, the five-day (2 - 6 June) seminar...

LYON, France – More than 600 raids carried out across South America in an INTERPOL-coordinated operation have led to the seizure of fake goods worth some USD 27.4 million, with nearly 800 people placed under investigation.Police and customs officers from 10 countries took part in Operation Jupiter VI, aimed at disrupting the organized crime networks behin...

LYON, France – Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Public Security in Dubai, has met with INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble to enhance collaborative efforts between Dubai and INTERPOL against emerging transnational crime threats.During his visit to the world police body’s General Secretariat headquarters, Lieuten...

Every year the importance of intellectual property (IP) to the world’s economy is recognized on World IP Day, 26 April, as originally designated by the World Intellectual Property Office.Through its Trafficking in Illicit Goods and Counterfeiting programme, INTERPOL has for years facilitated and supported police and law enforcement agencies worldwide in t...

LYON, France – INTERPOL has launched a casebook outlining the links between illicit trade, counterfeiting and organized crime. ‘Against Organized Crime: INTERPOL Trafficking and Counterfeiting Casebook 2014’ is a compilation of cases from law enforcement worldwide involved in the fight against trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting.Through these...

LYON, France – Tens of thousands of counterfeit products were seized across Qatar during the first INTERPOL-coordinated operation to combat trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting held in the Middle East.Carried out in partnership with the Qatar Ministry of Interior and the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Doha, Operation Al Shaheen (mean...

LYON, France – INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble is warning that a lack of oversight in the cigarette component supply chain is being exploited by organized crime to make billions in illegal profits by producing billions of illicit cigarettes.Producers of acetate tow, a key component in cigarette filters, are exporting high volumes of their produ...

More than 1,200 tonnes of fake or substandard food and nearly 430,000 litres of counterfeit drinks have been seized in an INTERPOL-Europol coordinated operation across 33 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe.Targeting the organized crime networks behind the illicit trade in counterfeit and unregulated food and drink, Operation Opson III led to the r...

LYON, France – Two organized crime networks involved in fuel smuggling across Peru and Ecuador have been dismantled following an INTERPOL-coordinated operation targeting illicit trade and counterfeiting.More than 60 interventions were carried out as part of Operation Alisuyo, targeting the criminal gangs known as ‘culebras’ or ‘snakes’ because of the way...

LYON, France – Qatar has become the first country to request an INTERPOL Purple Notice in connection with illicit trade after the seizure of a machine used to change expiry dates on food and drink.An investigation was launched following a routine store check by the Consumer Protection Department when an Inspector noticed the validity information printed o...

LYON, France – Counterfeit goods worth nearly USD 1 million have been seized in a series of interventions across Eastern Europe as part of INTERPOL’s Operation White Mercury.Involving seven countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – the operation also resulted in the ident...

DUBAI, UAE&nbsp; – Senior law enforcement officials from the United Arab Emirates have gathered in Dubai for the first INTERPOL Intellectual Property Crimes Workshop in the Middle East to identify how authorities across the region can work more closely via INTERPOL to combat transnational organized illicit trade.Co-organized with the Emirates Intellectual...

DUBLIN, Ireland – Closer cooperation between the public and private sectors to combat the ‘sinister consequences’ of illicit trade and counterfeiting is essential, delegates were told at the opening of 2013 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference.Bringing together some 500 delegates from more than 60 countries, the three-...

LYON, France – The Director General of the International Cooperation Department, Chinese Ministry of Public Security, has met with INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble at INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters to discuss security measures aimed at enhancing international cooperation against transnational crime.The visit by Director General Jing...

LYON, France – The largest INTERPOL operation to date against pharmaceutical crime across Southern Africa has resulted in the seizure of almost 100 tonnes of illicit and counterfeit medicines, with 181 suspects either arrested or currently under investigation.
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Operation Giboia (1-3 October) saw more than 900 officers from the five participating co...

LYON, France – A series of raids coordinated by INTERPOL across Southern Africa targeting counterfeit and illicitly traded goods has led to the seizure of thousands of fake products and the closure of an industrial-scale plant manufacturing fake sportswear.Thousands of counterfeit products ranging from toys, chargers, shavers and cigarettes to pirated CDs...

HANGZHOU, China – Enhancing the knowledge and skills of police, increased information exchange and improving cooperation to better target the organized crime networks behind illicit trade is the focus of the first INTERPOL training session being held in China.The INTERPOL Trafficking in Illicit Goods and Counterfeiting Capacity Building Seminar, organized...

YALTA, Ukraine – Cybercrime, counterfeit products and the ever-increasing movement of people and goods in both the real and virtual worlds pose a significant threat to global safety and security, the head of INTERPOL warned today.Speaking at the 10th Yalta Annual Meeting in Ukraine, Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said the trade in fake and illicit good...

LYON, France – The Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) has named INTERPOL the 2013 winner of its International Public Body award for its ‘exceptional’ work towards combating the trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting.Announced on World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Awards are made as a continuing recognition of speci...

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Consumer involvement is vital to law enforcement efforts to protect the public from the dangers posed by illicit and counterfeit goods, the Head of INTERPOL told the 7th Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy.Secretary General Ronald K. Noble also underlined the need for partnership with the private sector, both in exper...

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Senior decision-makers from governments, law enforcement, customs and the private sector are gathering in Istanbul for the Seventh Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy to seek innovative responses to the illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated goods.More than 850 delegates from some 100 countries are attending the thr...

MARRAKESH, Morocco – Senior police and law enforcement officials gathered this week for the first Regional Capacity Building and Training Seminar on trafficking in illicit goods in the Middle East and North Africa region.Co-hosted by INTERPOL’s Trafficking in Illicit Goods Sub-Directorate and Morocco’s General Directorate for National Safety, the three-da...

A joint INTERPOL-Europol operation targeting fake and substandard food and drink, as well as the organized crime networks behind this illicit trade, has resulted in the seizure of more than 135 tonnes of potentially harmful goods ranging from everyday products of coffee, soup cubes and olive oil, to luxury goods such as truffles and caviar. A further 100...

MUMBAI, India – Senior police and law enforcement officials have gathered in India for the International Training and Capacity Building Seminar on Trafficking in Illicit Goods, to identify how authorities in the region can work more closely to combat all types of transnational and organized illicit trade.Co-hosted by INTERPOL’s Trafficking in Illicit Good...

LYON, France – An INTERPOL-led operation against illicit goods trafficking across Eastern Europe has revealed the extent and increasingly elaborate methods used by transnational crime groups to traffic illicit goods with more than 1,400 individuals arrested or under investigation and the seizure of 7.3 million trafficked goods.The month-long Operation Bla...

LYON, France – INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization, is launching a major initiative to identify and dismantle the organized crime networks siphoning billions of Euros from the public purse through the trafficking of illicit goods, including tobacco products.Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said INTERPOL’s project combating ill...